Rodrigo Piñeiro will return to Chilean Primera División side Unión Española in 2023. Reported by Alaire Libre, the club informed fans at a supporters’ event that Piñeiro is set to return for a second season with La Furia.
Piñeiro himself spoke at the event, saying: “My agent made a great effort and we prioritized being happy here. This is a thank you to the fans for the support they give me, I hope that 2023 will be better than the 2022 and we can qualify for international cups and win a title. We have that drive in us.”
Piñeiro was a standout last season for Unión Española, who finished 11th place in the Primera División. In 21 appearances in all competitions, the 23-year-old scored seven goals and added one assist.
Bought from Danubio FC in 2021 for a reported $1.7 million, Piñeiro was Nashville SC’s first-ever U22 Initiative signing. Hyped as a much-needed attacking option on the wings, he failed to live up to expectations, playing just 16 minutes in two appearances and publicly venting frustrations with head coach Gary Smith.
He didn’t make the 18-man matchday roster for the final 27 matches of the 2021 season, despite lack of production from wingers getting minutes and was unceremoniously loaned to Unión Española in the offseason. Nashville SC never announced or commented on his loan.
Whether he leaves on another loan, or more likely leaves on a permanent transfer, his time in Nashville will go down as one of the more disappointing transfers in the club’s young history.
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